Printing wheel for printing layout marks



United States Patent 888 99 1 33 33 I fi 72 9l9 11.13311H OOOUHOO 111 11 1 9/1938 Marshall..............,........

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Primary Examiner-William B. Penn Attorney-Lynn G. Foster [51] Int. B41] 1/54, 841g 2/00 [50] Field ofSearch........................................... ABSTRACT: A layout tool having a plurality of marking pads I of a first type normally exposed at the periphery of a cylindrical wheel which may be selectively recessed into the wheel during alternate revolutions of the wheel. Opposed marking [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 587,261 7/1897 Jahn.....

8/1929 Lerner.......................:::

Patented Nov. 3, 1910 INVENTOR BAPTONL. SWAPP 3M fM Patented Ndv. 3,. 1970 -./NVENTOR BARTON L. SWAPP merited" Nov. 3, 1910 3,537,394

Shoot 3 1o! 8 :INVENTOR BARTON L. SWAPP PRINTING WHEEL FOR PRINTING LAYOUT MARKS This invention relates to layout tools and particularly to the type of layout tools having a cylindrical body together with printing means for printing layout marks in a series.

The principle object of this invention is to provide a layout tool that can be used by carpenters; builders, contractors, tradesmen and the like to print several commonly used layout mark combinations in a series when the tool is rolled along a surface, such as those used for rafters, joists, studs, flooring, roofing, paneling, etc.

A still further object of this invention is to relate five individual stamp pads which are located in the periphery of the body of the tool together with internal actuator and rotating means so that any particular series or a combination of series of layout marks can beprinted as desired by the operator.

A still further object of this invention is to provide the layout tool with a laterally offset handle means that can be easily reversed for over-the-head layout chores such as the top of standing partitions and plates.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a layout tool of the above type which is easy to manufacture, lon'glasting, dependable, economical in construction, simple in its operation and significantly effective for printing layout marks.

In brief, the objects of this invention are attained in a tool including a cylindrical body measuring 24 inches around the circumference, containing five individual stamp pads with'internal actuator and rotating means for moving the stamp-pads slightly beyond the peripheral wall into any desired possible layout combination, a cylindrical ink pad' retained near the periphery of the body of the tool, a U-shaped holder and a protective cover for the ink pad, an axial bolt extending through the body of the tool, and a handlethat attaches to the axial bolt.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview of the layout tool of this invention with a section of the handle being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the layout tool with the handle removed and with portions being cutaway and shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

H6. 4 is an end elevational'view of the layouttool .without the ink pad cover and with portions being cutaway and shown in section; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the actuator bar disposed in its inactive position on the axial bolt.

The layout tool 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a main cylindri-" cal body 2 with a handle 7 having a laterally offset section 6 and provided with a grip 9, and a U-shaped ink pad holder 65 having a back plate 66.

A perforated cylinder 32 shown in FIG. 2 provided with side walls 31 and internal cylinder 42 is rotatably supported between the side members of the U-shaped holder 65 by nut 11 and bolt 33 axial means. A permeable ink pad covers the peripheryof the cylinder 32' being positioned close-enoughto peripheral wall 3 for inking any extended stamp pads- 28 and 29. A plug or screw 341s providedto allow supplying-the cylinder with ink. A protective ink pad-cover 39is provided to prevent the ink pad from drying when the tool is not being-- used. Right-angle plates-44 and con'iprise'the main embodia ment of the cover 39, having friction catch 'flanges 46 that can. clip to the U-shaped holder 65. Resilient air sealstrips'43'are located at the touching points as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3'.

The handle 7 and the U-shaped holder 65"are, nonrotatablyretained thereon to the extended ends of an axial bolt'52' b'y/ having hexagonal bores 8 and-36-and-round' bore. 37 which correspondto-the axial bolt 52havinga hexagonal'cross' section The axial bolt 52 and handle'7 are-secured in-position f by wingnut 10 which attaches to threaded end of the-axialbolt.

The cylindrical body 2 is comprised of side walls 4 and 5 having apertures 49 therein and containing spacer sleeves 58 which rotatably support the axial bolt 52. The side walls are held to peripheral wall 3 by screws'59. Startingmarks 60 and 61 are provided thereon in register with the five stamp pads 28 and 29 which are arranged in peripheral openings 50 and 51 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The axial bolt 52 has an actuator bar 12 pivotally connected thereon by screw 14 to a'notched flat section'57. The actuator bar 12 may be rotated around the axisof screw 14 until the tapered end of the actuator 12 projects outwardly along the axis of bolt 52 normal to the plane of the drawing. In the outwardly projecting position, the actuator cannot engage any of the gears 16. An indicator mark 54is provided on the head 53 of the axial bolt,;beirig in register with the radial position of the actuator bar 1-2.

Three-identical toothed gears 16 are equilaterally disposed within the cylindrical body 2 between the side walls 4 and 5. Each gear 16 is positioned to engage the actuator bar 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The actuator bar can also be swiveled parallel to the axial bolt 52 to avoid engaging with the gears. See FIG. 5. Three concaveto'o'thed gears'15 are united in tandem with gears 16 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Gear 15 has only onehalf as many teeth as gear 16', i.e., gear 15 has a one half tooth ratio compared to gear 16. Each pair of gears is rotatably mounted on a spindle 17 which isfixed in holding members 47 and 48"; The' members '47 and 48 are rigidly mounted upon the sides 4 and 5, respectively, such as by welding.

Each gear 15 has four radially outwardly projecting lobes which are smoothly tapered frorn a low portion 15a to the high exterior tip l5b each lobe having" a concave recess at the exterior tip. Theperiphery of the gear 15 has' four radially'oub wardly projecting lobes which are sinoothlytapered, each lobe the gear 15 limits the radial movementof a circular rod 21. Each rod 21* has a tapered end' 22that slidably' abutsagainst a respective gear 15, and an opposite internally threaded bore end 23. The internally threaded bore'end 23 threadably connects'to a bifurcated extended'p'ort'ion26. Theex ten ded'portion 26 is an exteriorly threaded rod which is integral at one end with the stamp pad retaining base 25 and which is bifurcated at the other end. The rods 2l' are slidably retained by internal holding members 63 and 6 4. A'spiral'. spring 24' retaining means encircles each rod 21' and ahuts'between internal holding member: and cotter pin-27'. The cotter pin 27 tits in a bore througheachrod 2'1 and extends between the bifurcated extended portion 26 of each stamp pad retaining base. This arrangement provides a radial adjustment for each stamp pad 28.

Each of the two oppositely disposed stamp pad retaining bases 19havin'g flangesBS is symmetrically disposed on either side ofa plane containing stamp pad 28 and the axial bolt 52. Bases- 19 are rotatably' mounted on a fixed, partially round spindle 18. Aflat spring '20" is provided for locking eachbase I9a'gainst the partially rou'ndspindle 18into alternative printing or nonprinting: position. FIG. 2'illustrates both positions. Thestamppad bases 25 and l9 contain the stamp pads'28 and 29"having therebetween" a section of foam rubber62' and" outwardlyprojecting-marking ribs; The foam rubber 6'2'allows any stamp pad in printing-position to depress flush'with peripheral wall'3'. 1

in operating th e'tool I, th'e-screw34 is removed and the 'per foratedcylinder" 32" is" filled with ink which saturatesthe permeable ink pad'30; Ink is'then transferred'to any extended stamppad 28 and'29wh en' thebod y 2 is rolled alonga' surface to belaid out. i

The three equila'terally disposed stainp' pads28 are able to printlayout marks either 8' inches or 16- inches apart on center. Eight-inch layout markscan-beprint'ed byswiveling' slightly extended beyond peripheral wall 3 in printing position. Sixteen-inch layout marks can be printed by swiveling the actuator bar 12 into radial position and properly presetting the gears 15 and 16 as shown in FIG. 2. The actuator bar 12 trips each gear 16 as the body 2 is rolled along a surface to be laid out. Since gears 16 are united to gears 15, an abutting rod 21 resting at a low position on gear 15 is urged to a high concave point during the first revolution of the body 2. During the next revolution of the body 2, the same rod 21 resting at a high point on gear 15 is urged to a low point. Since each rod 21 is provided with a spiral spring 24 retaining means and is interconnected to a stamp pad 28, the stamp pads 28 are alternately retracted and extended slightly past peripheral wall 3 as body 2 is rolled along a surface to be laid out.

The apertures 49 may be located in either or both side walls 4 and 5 giving finger access to the gears and the actuator bar.

Layout marks can be printed 12 inches apart on center by rotating both stamp pads 29 to an outward facing position. Stamp pads 29 are carried upon base members 19 and are rotated into and out of the outwardly facing position by pressing the leading edge of the stamp pad 29 so that base members 19 rotate through 180 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2, around the axis of spindle 18. Alternatively, the base members 19 and attached stamp pad 29 could be rotated through 180 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2. The spindle 18 has opposed flat sides upon which the flat spring 20 normally rests so that the stamp pad is urged or biased into either the printing position or the diametrally opposite nonprinting position. Layout marks can be printed 24 inches apart on center by rotating one of the stamp pads 29 to an inward facing position as FIG. 2 illustrates. Flat springs 20 are provided for locking the stamp pads 29 into either alternative position.

The handle 7 should be positioned on the extended portion of the axial bolt 52 having the hexagonal cross section 55 so that the actuator bar 12 is radially positioned somewhere between the surface area being laid out and the ink pad 30. Indicator mark 54 is provided to visually facilitate this. The offset section 6 of the handle 7 is provided to allow over-the-head layout chores such as the top of standing partitions and plates. The handle 7 can be easily removed and reversed using wingnut 10.

One of the stamp pads 29 should be located 1% inches apart on center from a stamp pad 28 since this is the net width of 2- inch dimensional lumber. This allows for a proper tie for such items as rafters 24 inches apart on center and joist 16 inches apart on center. Starting marks 60 and 61 are provided for the operator to accurately align any of the stamp pads 28 and 29 to a predetermined starting point.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Iclaim:

1. A tool for serially printing layout marks comprising:

cylindrical body means having a predetermined circumferential dimension, the body means comprising a plurality of spaced stamp pads normally disposed in the periphery of the body means; means disposed adjacent the periphery of the body means for applying a marking substance upon the stamp pad; handle means connected to the cylindrical body means for rolling the periphery of the body means over a surface; gear means rotatably carried within the body means;

means impinging upon the gear means and responsive to the position of the gear means for selectively urging the selected ones of the stamp pads into the periphery of the body means; and

means mounted upon the body means adjacent the gear means for serially automatically (1) positioning the gear means so that the impinging means accommodates movement of the selected ones of the stamp pads away from the periphery of the body means and (2) repositioning the gear means so that the impinging means urges the selected ones of the stamp pads into the periphery of the body means.

2. A tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises an actuator bar pivotally mounted at the axis of the body means for, in the first position, engaging the gear means as the body means is rolled over the surface to displace the gear means and, in the second position, avoiding contact with the gear means to allow the impinging means to remain in a predetermined printing state.

3. A tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said gear means are rotatably mounted upon fixed horizontal spindles and comprise a plurality of spaced tandem gear pairs each pair of tandem gears comprising a pointed toothed gear oriented to be engaged by the positioning means and a concave toothed gear having a one-half the tooth ratio compared to the pointed toothed gear and adapted to control the position of the impinging means.

4. A tool is defined in claim 1 wherein said impinging means comprises radially disposed rods slidably contained within the body means, each rod being provided with a tapered end movably urged against the gear means and an opposite end coupled to a portion of the corresponding stamp pad.

5. A tool as defined in claim 4 further comprising means for biasing each rod and stamp pad away from the periphery of the body member.

6. A tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of spaced stamp pads comprises three stamp pads symmetrically radially spaced one from another around the circumference of the body means and two other stamp pads disposed adjacent the periphery of the body means diametrally opposite one another symmetrically about a plane containing any one of the three stamp pads and the axis of rotation of the body means.

7. A tool as defined in claim 6 wherein said opposed stamp pads each comprise stamp pad retaining base means pivotally mounted upon a fixed spindle and provided with a flat spring retaining means for biasing the base toward the alternative diametrally opposite outward facing and inward facing positions.

8 A tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said applying means comprises:

a cylindrical pad having an interior reservoir for making substance;

a pad housing mounted upon the body means for movement relative to the body means and coupled to the handle means so that relative movement between the pad housing and the handle means is prevented; and

a right-angle plate having friction catch flanges along the upright edges of the plate for attaching the plate to the housing when the tool is not in use, and comprising a horizontal portion fitting between the sides of the housing, the plate providing an air seal around the pad.

9. A tool as defined in claim 2 wherein said handle means comprises an offset portion so that in the assembled condition part of the handle is attachedadjacent one planar side of the body means and the remainder of the handle is laterally offset relative to at least one planar side and wherein said offset portion is radially disposed between the marking substance applying means and the engaging position of the actuator bar so that selected ones of the stamp pads are maintained in the periphery of the body means until the stamp pads are displaced adjacent both the marking substance applying means and the printing location.

10. A layout device comprising:

a cylindrical wheel;

a handle for rolling the wheel along a surface;

first printing pad means normally spaced symmetrically around the periphery of the wheel;

tandem gears rotatably carried within the cylindrical wheel near each first printing pad, the tandem gears comprising outwardly projecting lobes;

an actuator interposed between the tandem gears and the first printing pad means, the actuator being selectively positioned into and out of contact with the tandem gears for selectively urging the first printing pad means into and out of the peripheral edge of the wheel when the actuator is disposed near the apex of the lobe; and

second stamp pad into and out of the peripheral edge of the wheel.

11. A layout device as defined in claim 10 wherein said first "and second printing pad means comprise marking ribs normally projecting beyond the periphery of the body means and resilient means accommodating compression of the marking ribs into flush relation with the curved periphery of the cylindrical wheel.

12. A layout device as defined in claim 10 wherein said cylindrical wheel comprises a plurality of apertures in the planar surfaces of the cylinder to provide for finger access to the tandem gears and actuator carried within the cylindrical wheel. 

